CD30 antigen and multiple sclerosis: CD30, an important costimulatory molecule and marker of a regulatory subpopulation of dendritic cells, is involved in the maintenance of the physiological balance between TH1/TH2 immune responses and tolerance - The role of IFN beta-1a in the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Objectives: The immunological effect of CD30 on dendritic cells ( DCs) was examined in a comparative study of patients with relapsing- remitting multiple sclerosis ( RRMS). The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of interferon ( IFN)beta-1a treatment: IFN beta-1a-treated patients and untreated patients. We have already shown that CD30 is a marker of cells involved in the regulation of the balance between TH1 and TH2 immune responses and so the aim of this study was to confirm this role in DCs and, consequently, to clarify the immunopathological mechanisms of MS and the causes of immunosuppressive drug failure. Methods: We studied network interactions between soluble ( s) CD30 and TH1/ TH2 cytokines in the supernatants of CD14+- derived immature DC ( IDC) and DC cultures from treated and untreated patients. Network interactions between the sCD30 and cytokines in IDC and DC supernatants were also evaluated in relation to TH1/ TH2 cytokine serum levels. Results: Our overall results show that CD30 is expressed on IDCs and DCs, indicating an immunological role in resting and activated physiological conditions. This role would appear to be the regulation of the resting and activated physiological balance between the TH1/ TH2 immune functions as abnormal increases in sCD30 levels result in impaired regulation. Further studies are undoubtedly required to clarify this situation. IFN beta-1a treatment was found to determine a fall in sCD30 levels, leading to the restoration of the normal functional selection of IDCs from progenitor cells and the regulation of the TH1/ TH2 network balance. However, IFN beta- 1a treatment may also be responsible for the in vivo suppression of CD30- mediated TH1- DC functions in immune activation. TH1- DC functions are involved in the induction of T- regulatory cells for the physiological deletion of self-aggressive cells. Conclusion: We conclude that CD30 is an important costimulatory molecule and marker of a regulatory subpopulation of DCs which induces and modulates immune cells involved in the maintenance of the physiological balance between TH1/ TH2 immune responses and tolerance. Elucidating the mechanisms restoring DC and T- regulatory cell function could lead to more effective therapy and strategies for the prevention and treatment of immunopathological conditions such as autoimmunity, transplant rejection, allergy and tumors. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.